Media Release

A 53-year-old Hilo woman died Saturday (March 16) from injuries she
received in a motor vehicle/pedestrian collision at the intersection
Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 19) and Pukihae Street in Hilo.

Responding to a 9:38 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that
the pedestrian was on the mauka side shoulder of the road fronting the
crosswalk when she was struck by a 2005 Kia four-door sedan traveling
south being operated by a 37-year-old Volcano man.

The pedestrian was transported to the Hilo Medical Center by Fire Rescue
personnel where she later died at 11:58 p.m.

The driver of the Kia and 3-year-old son were not injured.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide
investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of
death.

It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved.

The name of the pedestrian is being withheld pending positive
identification and notification of the next of kin.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Paul Kim at 333-9708. Police are asking that if anyone was following the Kia into Hilo to call police.

This is the 10th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 7 at the same time last year.